Ilsur Metshin: “The Central Stadium will be provided according with the international standard for holding competitions”

The Central Stadium and the athletics arena, which will host athletics competitions during the BRICS Games this summer, have been renovated by 25%. Work on strengthening structural elements, updating seats in the stands, covering tracks, replacing utilities and equipment began in December 2023. The renovation is scheduled to be completed by the end of May. Today, the Mayor of Kazan, Ilsur Metshin, inspected the progress of work at the sports venue. The previous renovation of the Central Stadium was carried out almost 20 years ago.

“The Central Stadium was built in 1960. The most remarkable activities in the sports history of our capital took place there: the best world footballers played here, victories of Rubin, athletics cups and championships of Russia, European competitions were held. The last major renovation was 20 years ago and, of course, the venue needed repair,”- Ilsur Metshin said.

Construction work at the stadium and in the arena is carried out in a short time, repairs are scheduled to be completed by the end of May. “There were issues regarding the supply of imported equipment, which we have already resolved. The best quality of tracks, lighting, building materials. In short, for the next 10 years, the international standard for holding high–level competitions at the Central Stadium will be provided,”- the Mayor noted.

As of today, the replacement of the athletics surface at the stadium has been completed by 35%. The new tracks will be made of environmentally friendly, wear-resistant rubber. The durable material is suitable for frequent use, and also creates a cushioning effect, which reduces muscle fatigue and the risk of microtrauma in athletes.

The renovated venue will have a capacity of 15 thousand seats. The dismantling of the canopy of the western grandstand, spectator seats with fasteners in all stands has already been completed.

At the venue, work has been completed on injecting cracks, leveling walls and plastering bathrooms, painting the visor of the metal structure. In the gallery of the western grandstand, work has been carried out to strengthen the concrete structure, and the removal of the floor covering of the entrance groups will continue.

“The vibe of the Central Stadium has absorbed all the best over the years. Participants and guests of the BRICS Games need to feel the spirit of 1,000-year history of the city. We hope that everyone will like it,”- the head of the city said.

The training ground for the participants of the BRICS Games – about 226 athletes – will be a football and athletics arena, where the dismantling of running tracks and stands has already been carried out. In the near future, work will be completed on the repair of jumping pits and the laying of coverings. The cost of major repairs in the arena will amount to 172.3 million rubles.

“Even the Olympic stadiums stand idle after the competition ends. The Central Stadium is a gem among all our dozens of sports venues. It is filled with people who want to play sports on it from morning to evening: both professionals and amateurs,”- the Mayor said.

The BRICS Games will take place in the capital of Tatarstan on June 10-26 at 17 sports venues in the city. At the Central Stadium, athletes will compete in running, relay, high jump, throwing and shot put, as well as in heptathlon and decathlon.